Imidazolium and benzimidazolium-containing compounds: from simple toxic salts to highly bioactive drugs.

The toxicity of simple imidazolium and benzimidazolium salts started to be more and more investigated in the last few years and was taken in consideration in the context of microorganisms, plants and more evolved organisms' exposure. However, the toxicity of these salts can be exploited in the development of different biological applications by incorporating them in the structure of compounds that specifically target microorganisms and cancer cells. We highlight in this minireview the way researchers became aware of the inherent problem of the stability and bioaccumulation of imidazolium and benzimidazolium salts and how they found inspiration to exploit their toxicity by incorporating them into new highly potent drugs.

A molecular chalice with hydrophobic walls and a hydrophilic rim: self-assembly and complexation properties.

We describe the synthesis of a diphenylglycoluril/dibenzo-crown-6 molecular chalice, the self-assembly at the air/water interface and its complexation properties in solution and at the water/chloroform interface.

Uncovering new properties of imidazolium salts: Cl- transport and supramolecular regulation of their transmembrane activity.

We report the Cl(-) transport activity for three imidazolium-based transporters. We present significant findings regarding the use of α-cyclodextrin and cucurbit[7]uril macrocycles to form inclusion complexes with these salts and to inhibit their membrane activity.